SEC announces schedule for state assembly elections

Shimla, Oct 11 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manisha Nanda today announced the election schedule for the 68 assembly seats of the state.

Talking to UNI here, she said notification for the three tribal assembly constituencies of Kinnaur, Bharamur and Lahaul Spiti would be issued on October 20 with October 27 being the last date for filing nominations.

The scrutiny of nominations would take place on October 29 and the last date for the date of withdrawal of the candidature would be October 31, she said, adding that polling for these seats would be held on November 14.

Yesterday, the Chief Election Commission (CEC) had announced a two-phase elections for the state assembly on November 14 and December 19.

Ms Nanda said the notification for the remaining 65 seats would be issued on November 23 with November 30 being the last date for filling of nominations.

The scrutiny of nominations would be held on December 1 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature would be December 3, she said.

She said the polling for the 65 assembly seats would be held on December 19, adding that the counting of votes would be taken up on December 28 and the whole process would be completed by December 31.

Asserting that the State Election Commission would ensure free and fair elections in the state, necessary steps would be taken to ensure this.

The CEO said movement of material and personnel for the three assembly seats on November 14 would begin from next week and due precautions would be taken to ensure that there was no disruption in the polling process during the winters.

She, however, refused to comment on the removal of hoardings of State Government's achievements put up at several places in the state, and said she would look into the matter before making any statements.

As far as publication of any government advertisement after the moral code of conduct had come into question was concerned, Ms Nanda said the commission was keeping a strict vigil and any violations on this would not be tolerated.

She said the electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used in all the assembly seats in the state.

UNI